Operation Phantom Phoenix

Operation Phantom Phoenix occurred from 8 January to 28 July 2008 when the MNF-I coalition forces launched an offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq in northern Iraq and in the southern Baghdad Belts region.

Operation
Following the Diyala campaign, only 200 al-Qaeda extremists remained in Diyala Governorate of northern Iraq. In early 2008, the MNF-I and Iraqi Army planned to launch joint operations in northern Iraq and in the southern Baghdad Belts with the goal of clearing northern Iraq and Baghdad of Islamic State of Iraq militants. The MNF-I and Iraqi Army operation was divided into "Operation Iron Harvest" in Diyala Governorate, in Saladin Governorate, and Nineveh Governorate and "Operation Marne Thunderbolt" in the Arab Jabour region of the southern Baghdad Belts. The MNF-I and Iraqi forces sought to eliminate the remaining car, truck, and suicide bomb networks in Baghdad as well as al-Qaeda's financial network. The operation included the major Ninawa campaign, and combat operations lasted until July. The Coalition forces suffered just over 60 dead, while the Iraqi security forces and Awakening Council militias suffered more than 770 dead; the insurgents suffered almost 900 dead and more than 2,500 captured.